It's Not Like Washington Expected

TAMPA — Chris Washington is the kind of soldier every army needs. He's hard- working, loyal, unassuming and, above all, consistent. You can count on Washington.

Those qualities are the reasons Washington has started as an outside linebacker in every non-strike game the Bucs have played for the past three years. Quietly he has become the Bucs' all-time sack leader among linebackers with 18 1/2 since he was chosen out of Iowa State in the sixth round of the 1984 draft.

So imagine Washington's shock when he did not start Saturday night against Indianapolis in the Bucs' first preseason game of 1988.

Everyone who has watched the Bucs expected numerous changes in the defensive lineup this year. But Washington wasn't supposed to be among them. He started six games on the right and six on the left last season, so surely one of the starting roles must be his again this year.

Perhaps not.

Washington is being challenged by not two but three former second-round draft picks who may have begun to play up to expectations. They are Winston Moss, drafted out of Miami last year, and Kevin Murphy and Jackie Walker, picked in '86.

Against the Colts, Moss started on the right, followed by Washington, while Murphy started on the left, followed by Walker. According to outside linebacker coach Joe Kines, they went into the game in a four-way tie.

''It may be the most competitive position on our team,'' said Kines, who once was defensive coordinator at the University of Florida. ''There's not that much difference between them. All are good players, and all have a chance to start.''

The biggest hopes rest with Moss. Bucs Coach Ray Perkins raved about him in last year's camp, comparing him to Lawrence Taylor. Moss was a rookie starter at the beginning of the season but lost his job after six games as his performance deteriorated.

''When you get on a team that's losing, you get real frustrated,'' Moss said. ''I hate losing, and I'm going to help this team win this year whether as a starter or on special teams.

''It's nice to be called the starter again, but all it takes is one mistake and you're back sitting on the pine. Chris wants his job back, and he's waiting right behind me on his toes.''

Murphy feels much the same way about being listed as a starter now. ''That can change in a day,'' he said. ''Nothing is ever secure when you have five really good players competing for two spots.''

Five? Moss, Murphy, Washington and Walker make four.

Henry Rolling is No. 5. Drafted in the fifth round last year, he spent all of the '87 season on injured reserve. But he has had an excellent camp, prompting Perkins to say he ''could be something special.''